The critically-acclaimed action-adventure stealth gaming franchise known as MGS has taken a break since 2015, when Hideo Kojima, and Konami parted ways. However, it seems that the publisher may be preparing for a return to the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
According to a recent issue of Famitsu, a well-respected Japanese gaming magazine, Noriaki Okamura wrote that «2023 will be a year of many announcements» for Konami Digital Entertainment. Okamura’s keyword for 2023 is «long-awaited,» sparking speculation among fans that a new mainline entry in the Metal Gear Solid series may be in development. It’s worth noting that Okamura did not specifically mention Metal Gear Solid in his statement, but given his involvement with the series, it’s possible that he was alluding to a return to the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
While it’s always exciting to hear about upcoming releases in a beloved series, it’s crucial to temper expectations. Noriaki’s statement may simply mean that Konami has a number of announcements planned for 2023, and it’s possible that none of them will be related to Metal Gear Solid. However, it’s understandable for fans to get excited about the possibility of a brand new game in the series, especially after the disappointing reception of the spin-off game MGS: Survive.
It’s important to mention that Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind MGS, is not involved with Konami or the series at this time. Kojima is busy with his own projects, such as the highly-anticipated game Death Stranding, which was released in 2019. It’s unclear if Kojima will return at some point to the Metal Gear Solid series, but for now, it seems that any potential future releases will be created separate from his involvement.
In the review section of this article, it’s worth thinking about the impact that Hideo Kojima’s departure has had on the MGS franchise. Kojima was a significant creative force behind the series, and his absence has been noticed by many fans. While it’s possible that a fresh team at Konami could deliver a compelling brand new game in the series, it’s hard to say whether it will be able to capture the same magic that made the earlier games so beloved. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Metal Gear Solid, but as of now, it’s thrilling to think about the possibilities of what a brand new game in the series could bring.
Claudia Fritz Online Journal 